Financing the $156 million redevelopment of the historic Pillsbury A-Mill into affordable apartments for artists nearly fell apart when a major investor dropped out in May, leaving developer Dominium scrambling to find a replacement. But the deal finally came together.

A recent House committee hearing was intended mainly to offer up a comparison of the economies in Minnesota and neighboring Wisconsin, but the discussion's focus soon shifted to the business-to-business tax increases passed earlier this year.

Minnesota-based Schwing America is planning a significant expansion, but the state may be facing stiff competition from Southern states interested in winning a new plant facility — and the hundreds of jobs that come with it.